Artifact Preservation Project for the Clark County Historical Society

FAIN: PG-52031-13

Clark County Historical Society (Springfield, OH 45502-1267)
Virginia Weygandt (Project Director: May 2012 to September 2014)

Purchase of archival-quality storage supplies to rehouse and alleviate overcrowding for a local history collection that reflects the social, economic, and cultural history of the town of Springfield, Ohio, from its earliest origins through post-Civil War urban and industrial development. Among the historical society's key holdings are household goods and furnishings, clothing and other textiles, jewelry, agricultural equipment, as well as tools and materials relating to the medical and railroad services and industries that developed in and around Springfield. The historical society is following recommendations of a 2008 preservation assessment.

The Clark County Historical Society of Springfield, Ohio requests an NEH Preservation Assistance Grant in the amount of $3,310.75 to purchase archival-quality storage boxes and other materials to improve the preservation of part of its artifact collections. The Society operates a museum of county history; its object collections are used frequently in temporary exhibitions, which typically connect local events and individuals to larger themes and events in national history. This project is part of a larger effort to improve the storage environment and organization of the Society's collections, in response to a risk and preservation assessment, and in order to move closer to AAM accreditation. Preservation efforts funded by NEH monies will be carried out concurrently with other projects to improve collections management, and will enhance these projects by supporting better organization of and access to collections. The project will begin in January 2013 and end in May 2014.